Hawaii’s worst flooding in 20 years leaves farmers struggling and fewer veggies at the market
Summary
Severe flooding hit farms on Oahu’s North Shore, Hawaii, causing widespread crop and equipment damage. Many small farms lost a large portion of their produce, leading to financial struggles and a reduced supply of local vegetables at markets.Key Facts
- Hawaii’s North Shore experienced the worst flooding in 20 years due to storms in March.
- More than 600 farms reported about $40 million in damage, with estimates rising to $50 million affecting nearly 2,000 farms.
- Flooding destroyed crops such as lemongrass, cucumber, okra, choy sum, bitter melon, tomato, banana, coconut, and mango.
- Small farms dominate Hawaii’s agriculture, often under a few acres and focused on diverse crops for local markets.
- These farms generally earn less than $10,000 a year and often cannot afford crop insurance.
- The Hawaii Farm Bureau urges farmers not to give up, emphasizing the importance of local food supply on the island.
- Hawaii has increased support for local farms through funding, farm-to-school programs, and loans, especially after supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Many farmers are immigrants who faced financial struggles before the flooding.
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